In this time of global health concerns, we all need to hear encouraging stories occasionally. This is an account of a multi-generational Egyptian household trying to support itself in a time of hardship with a little help from generous HANDS donors. Mary, from the village of Rida in the Minya governorate, is married to a carpenter. Not […]
CONTINUE READINGDuring these difficult times, it can be challenging for families to support themselves. Two income households are often better able to weather such times of crisis. Today, we share Ebtisam’s story. Ebtisam is from Rida, a village in the Minya governorate, where her husband works as a driver. When his income was not enough to […]
CONTINUE READINGWhen we think of the microloans that you so generously make possible for the people of Egypt, we often picture small grocery stores or other retail shops, but in more rural areas, agricultural projects are also popular startups. The project that Rons, a woman from Hasan Basha village in Upper Egypt, launched is one such […]
CONTINUE READINGAttention all high school students in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia: You are invited to apply for an intensive online training and exchange program with American students, using the See Something, Do Something social entrepreneurship curriculum designed by Yale University. The program duration is from August 3 through 21, with sessions taking place three times a week for two hours […]
CONTINUE READINGDuring these difficult times, sometimes it is encouraging to hear stories of hope. Today we share Warda’s story. Warda, a 38-year-old mother, is from the Egyptian village of El Hawaslya. She wanted to help her husband support the family by using her skills in hairstyling and makeup, perfected through years of playing dress-up with her sisters. […]
CONTINUE READINGLike many women in Upper Egypt, Hanan relied on her husband to feed and clothe their family of five. Before COVID-19, her husband found work as a day laborer two or three days a week, which barely met the family’s needs. Since the pandemic started, most of his job opportunities have completely dried up. The […]
CONTINUE READINGTo help address the issues around female economic rights and participation in the Middle East and North Africa, HANDS is pleased to announce the launch of a two year program, Activating the Private Sector for Women’s Economic Rights in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, funded by United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). The initiative will involve training […]
CONTINUE READINGPreparing for a wedding can be an expensive proposition for parents. In Egypt, not only are the parents expected to throw an engagement and wedding party, but they should also furnish the couple’s new home. This was the situation for 36-year-old Zina, a farmer’s wife and mother of three, as she prepared for her oldest […]
CONTINUE READINGDid you know that by some estimates only 19% of Egyptian women find a job during their lifetime? However, thanks to HANDS’ donors, women in Egypt have some exciting new opportunities. Many Egyptian women looking for employment have been able to open their own businesses with the help of small loans. This provides the capital […]
CONTINUE READINGNabila, a mother of three from the village of Akaka, was was a stay-at-home mother. Her husband’s salary, earned through long hours in a local factory, did not always cover the family’s needs. By the end of each month, Nabila and her husband had to decide between feeding their children and paying their electric bill. […]
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